How To Get Ink Stains Out Of Scrubs

Ink stains happen to everyone – even those medical professionals working so hard get that messy ink mark or pen stain on their precious scrubs from time to time.

Or maybe more often?

With that being said, you’ve probably wondered how to get ink stains out of scrubs.

Luckily, there are several things you can do right away to attend to the stain, as well as several things you can do when you’re ready to really deal with the ink stain later on when you get home.

You only need a few household items that are readily available – either at your home, your medical facility where you work, or they’re even something you can carry around, so you’re ready as soon as you get ink on yourself.

Ready to get started?

Read on to learn what items you’ll need in order to get ink stains out of scrubs.

Items You’ll Need

In this section, we’ll list and discuss the items you’ll need to get ink stains out of scrubs.

We’ll provide any alternatives as options for each item, when applicable.

Water
Paper towels, white cloths, cotton swabs, cotton balls, clean toothbrush, towel
Rubbing alcohol, alcohol wipes
Hairspray with alcohol
Liquid dish soap or liquid hand soap
Liquid laundry detergent (and a solution of a few drops in a small bowl of water)
Commercial stain remover(s) meant for ink stains
Toothpaste | milk | baking soda & water paste | ammonia | glycerin | all-fabric bleach | shortening, butter
Vinegar
Direct sunlight

Water

Cold water is used to rinse away various stain removers and to wash your scrubs after the ink stain has been removed.

Water is used in the solutions and pastes mixed to get ink stains out of scrubs.

Paper Towels, White Cloths, Cotton Swabs, Cotton Balls, Clean Toothbrush, And Towel

Paper towels, white cloths, cotton swabs, cotton balls, clean toothbrush, towels, and alternatives, are used to blot up excess ink from the stain, to protect the unstained layer of fabric from the ink, to apply various stain removers, to work stain removers into the ink stain, and to rinse off different stain removers, – all at various stages of the stain removal process.

I really like using these microfiber cleaning cloths for this step.

Rubbing Alcohol, Alcohol Wipes

High quality rubbing alcohol is used as a stain remover as it’s an effective ink stain remover from scrubs.

A great alternative, especially when you’re at work, is an alcohol wipe or two, as they’re typically readily available in medical facilities and easy to carry around.

Order your rubbing alcohol here.

Hairspray With Alcohol

Hairspray, with high alcohol content and few (preferably no) additives like perfumes, oils, and conditioners, is used as a stain remover as it makes an alternatively effective ink stain remover from scrubs.

Liquid Dish Soap Or Liquid Hand Soap

Liquid dish soap or liquid hand soap is used to immediately attempt to remove as much ink as possible while the ink stain is fresh.

Liquid Laundry Detergent (And A Solution Of A Few Drops In A Small Bowl Of Water)

Liquid laundry detergent is used in the washing machine to wash your scrubs after the ink stain is completely gone.

A few drops of liquid laundry detergent are added to a small bowl to make a detergent solution, which is used in the ink stain removal process.

Commercial Stain Remover(s) Meant For Ink Stains

Commercial ink stain removal products meant for ink stains can be found at your local grocery store in the laundry aisle or even at Amazon, where we found several, such as Tide To Go Instant Stain Remover pen and Spray ‘n Wash Stain Stick.

Toothpaste | Milk | Baking Soda & Water Paste | Ammonia | Glycerin | All-Fabric Bleach | Shortening, Butter

Toothpaste: plain toothpaste is used as an effective stain remover to get ink stains out of scrubs.
Milk: milk is used to soak your scrubs, or the stained area, overnight to get ink stains out of scrubs.
Baking soda & water paste: mix together a small amount of baking soda and enough water to make a paste used as an efficient stain remover to get ink stains out of scrubs (make enough of the paste to cover the stain).
Ammonia: household ammonia is used as a successful stain remover to get ink stains out of scrubs.
Glycerin: pure liquid glycerin, which can be found at your local drugstore, pharmacy, or on Amazon, where we found many, such as Now Solutions, Vegetable Glycerin, 100% Pure, Versatile Skin Care, Softening and Moisturizing, is used as a good stain remover to get ink stains out of scrubs.
All-fabric bleach: all-fabric bleach is used to pre-treat your scrubs by soaking them prior to washing according to the instructions on the bleach bottle – it makes an incredibly useful stain remover to get ink stains out of scrubs.
Shortening, butter: a standard stick of semi-soft salted butter is used as a valuable stain remover to get ink stains out of scrubs.

Direct Sunlight

Direct sunlight is used along with the salt in butter to help ink marks fade from your scrubs while the oil in the butter helps to lift the ink from the stain, readying it for removal from your scrubs.

Vinegar

¼ cup or more of vinegar is added to the washing machine, along with your regular liquid laundry detergent, when washing your scrubs after the ink stain has been completely removed.

The vinegar helps with disinfecting your scrubs, so they’re ready to be worn for work again.

The above items are ALL of the items that can be used to get ink stains out of scrubs.

You definitely won’t have to have everything on this list, as one or two of the methods will probably do the trick.

We just wanted to be thorough and make sure that you have everything you might need to remove ink stains from scrubs.

Continue reading for instructions on each method of how to remove ink stains from scrubs.

Step By Step Instructions For How To Get Ink Stains Out Of Scrubs

#1 Soap & Water

It’s best to catch and act on an ink stain as soon as it happens, or at least as quickly as possible.

It’s much easier to get rid of ink stains when they are fresh or wet than when they are set-in, old, or dried up.

Blot the ink stain with a damp cloth or white paper towel and any soap you have, such as liquid dish soap or liquid hand soap.
Blot as much of the ink as possible, scrubbing and lathering, before rinsing the affected area with cold water on another clean damp cloth or paper towel.
Use a new area of the cloth or paper towel each time you blot to avoid spreading the ink further around on your scrubs.

#2 Preparing Your Scrubs For A Stain Remover

Place a towel, paper towel, or an alternative (see items list), underneath the stained area, between it and the unstained layer of scrubs, protecting the unstained layer from getting any ink transferred.
Before using a particular stain remover, test it on a spot in a hidden area or seam of your scrubs to check for any possible color transference, discoloration, or fabric damage.
Choose one of the stain remover methods listed in steps #3-7.

#3 Stain Remover: Rubbing Alcohol (Optional-Choice Of Method)

Rubbing alcohol, as the #1 DIY ink stain removal remedy for scrubs, is an effective method to remove almost any type of ink stain from your scrubs.

Pro Tip:

Alcohol wipes work great and are widely available, especially at any medical facility, where you may be at work when discovering the ink stain.

Moisten a cotton ball with a small amount of rubbing alcohol (think alcohol wipe amount) and gently dab it around the stained area and then directly on the stain until the stained area is saturated with rubbing alcohol.
Let it sit for about 30 minutes.
Continue to dab small amounts of rubbing alcohol on the stained area with fresh cotton balls so as not to keep blotting ink right back onto your scrubs, lifting as much ink as possible with the rubbing alcohol and cotton balls.
Rinse your scrubs using a damp cloth or paper towel with cold water.
Repeat the process as necessary until the ink stain is gone.
If the stain is gone, proceed to step #8 Launder Your Scrubs; otherwise, choose another stain removing method from steps #4-7.

#4 Stain Remover: Hairspray With Alcohol (Optional-Choice Of Method)

Hairspray is a long-time common ink stain removal technique, often referred to as an ‘old wives’ tale’.

However, it does work – we promise!

Hairspray used to contain alcohol, the stain-removing ingredient, which made it an effective ink stain removal method.

However, as formulas progressed, the amount of alcohol in hairsprays has been greatly reduced or eliminated, mostly because it can dry out or damage your hair.

Also, look for a hairspray with very few, preferably no, additives such as perfumes, oils, or conditioners.

You can still find higher alcohol content in some hairsprays, though they’ll mostly be among the cheaper hairspray products, such as one we found on Amazon, Aqua Net Professional Hair Spray.

Apply a generous amount of hairspray directly to the ink-stained area.
Let it sit for 30 seconds.
Scrub the hairspray into the ink stain using a clean toothbrush.
Wipe the ink and hairspray away with a clean damp cloth.
Rinse your scrubs using a damp cloth or paper towel with cold water.
Repeat the process as necessary until the ink stain is gone.
If the stain is gone, proceed to step #8 Launder Your Scrubs, otherwise choose another stain removing method from steps #3, 5-7.

#5 Stain Remover: Commercial Product Meant For Ink Stains (Optional-Choice Of Method)

There are many different types of stain removers on the market that are meant to remove ink stains.

You can find them online in places such as Amazon or even in your local grocery store’s laundry aisle.

You’ll want to look for a product that lists something along the lines of “removes ink stains” or “eliminates ink stains” on the label among its list of capabilities.

Commercial stain removers can be handy to have on hand to pre-treat an ink stain as soon as it happens and then set your scrubs aside, with the product still on the stain, until you’re ready to launder them.

These stain removers come in many formats – liquid, spray bottle, solid stick, and pen are a few.

The Tide To Go Instant Stain Remover Pen, which we found on Amazon, is known to be effective on all types of stains and is so handy to carry around.

We recommend trying the Tide To Go Instant Stain Remover pen before any other stain removal method as it would be the easiest to administer as long as you have one with you.

A solid stain remover stick, such as Spray ‘n Wash Stain Stick, also found on Amazon, is handy to have on hand as well.

Instructions for using the Tide To Go Instant Stain Remover Pen to remove an Ink stain from scrubs:

Blot the ink stain using a clean damp cloth or paper towel and try to remove as much of the ink as possible, rotating the cloth to a fresh area each time you blot.
Using the Tide To Go Instant Stain Remover Pen, take the tip of the pen and run it over the ink stain until the whole stain is saturated with stain remover.
Let the stain remover sit on the stain for about 10 minutes or read instructions on the package to see how long to let it sit.
Blot the stain using a clean damp cloth.
You should see the ink start transferring to the cloth, so rotate it to a clean area each time you blot.
If the stain is gone, proceed to step #8 Launder Your Scrubs, otherwise choose another stain removing method from steps #3-4, 6-7.

#6 Stain Remover: Liquid Laundry Detergent (Optional-Choice Of Method)

Pre-treating ink stains with liquid laundry detergent can remove most stains.

There are a few ways to use liquid laundry detergent to pre-treat ink stains on scrubs:

Place a small amount of liquid laundry detergent directly on the ink stain.
Gently work the liquid laundry detergent into the stain using your fingers.
Let it sit until you’re ready to launder your scrubs.

In a small bowl of water, add a few drops of liquid laundry detergent and mix them together.
Use a cotton swab to apply the laundry detergent solution to the ink stain.
Lightly rub the stain with the cotton swab and solution to help the detergent form suds.
Let it sit until you’re ready to launder your scrubs.

When you’re ready to launder your scrubs:

Check to see if the ink stain is gone.
If the stain is gone, proceed to step #8 Launder Your Scrubs, otherwise choose another stain removing method from steps #3-5, 7.

#7 Stain Remover: Additional Techniques (Optional-Choice Of Method)

There are quite a few additional stain removal techniques, tricks, and methods for removing ink stains from scrubs worth briefly mentioning, and they are:

Toothpaste – Plain toothpaste is a good material for effective ink stain removal.

Dab plain toothpaste onto the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes.
Rinse it off with a cloth or paper towel dampened with cold water.
If the stain is gone, proceed to step #8 Launder Your Scrubs; otherwise, choose another stain removing method from steps #3-7.

Milk – Just soak the ink-stained scrubs, or the affected area, in milk overnight, and launder as usual the next day if the stain is gone, proceeding to step #8 Launder Your Scrubs, otherwise choose another stain removing method from steps #3-7.
Baking Soda and Water Paste – another ink stain removal trick is to mix a baking soda and water paste.

Mix a small amount of baking soda with enough water to make a paste (make enough to cover the ink stain).
Generously cover the ink stain on your scrubs with the paste, working it in lightly with a clean toothbrush until the stain is gone, or at least as much as possible.
Rinse it off with a cloth or paper towel dampened with cold water.
If the stain is gone, proceed to step #8 Launder Your Scrubs; otherwise, choose another stain removing method from steps #3-7.

Household Ammonia – makes an effective ink stain remover, like rubbing alcohol.

Apply a small amount of household ammonia to the ink stain with a cotton swab or cotton ball.
Let it sit for a few minutes.
Rinse the area with a cloth or paper towel dampened with cold water.
If the stain is gone, proceed to step #8 Launder Your Scrubs; otherwise, choose another stain removing method from steps #3-7.

Glycerin – another effective ink stain remover is pure liquid glycerin, which can be found at your local drugstore or pharmacy, or we even found some on Amazon, Now Solutions, Vegetable Glycerin, 100% Pure, Versatile Skin Care, Softening and Moisturizing.

Use a cotton swab to apply a small amount of pure liquid glycerin directly to the ink stain, enough to fully cover the stained area.
Let the glycerin sit on the stain for about 30 minutes.
Use a clean cloth or paper towel dipped in the liquid laundry detergent solution described in this section’s Step #6 Stain Remover Liquid Laundry Detergent and follow those steps from lathering the suds to washing the glycerin off of the stained area.
Rinse the area using a clean cloth or paper towel dampened with cold water.
If the stain is gone, proceed to step #8 Launder Your Scrubs; otherwise, choose another stain removing method from steps #3-7.

Bleach – Soaking the scrubs in all-fabric bleach is an effective ink stain removal technique. Follow that up with laundering as usual if the stain is gone, proceeding to step #8 Launder Your Scrubs, otherwise choose another stain removing method from steps #3-7.
Shortening/Butter – a stick of standard semi-soft salted butter can help remove ink stains from scrubs.

The oil in the butter helps to lift the ink out of the stain while the combination of salt and direct sunlight works together to help the ink marks to fade from the scrubs.

Rub the stick of semi-soft salted butter on the ink stain until the stain is covered with the butter.
Set the scrubs in a sunny place, so the ink-stained area, with the butter on it, gets some direct sunlight on it.
Let it sit for about 30 minutes.
Using a clean cloth or paper towel, wipe the butter and ink from the scrubs.
If the stain is gone, proceed to step #8 Launder Your Scrubs; otherwise, choose another stain removing method from steps #3-7.

#8 Launder Your Scrubs

After using any number of stain removers required to have fully removed your scrubs’ ink stain, you’re ready to launder and disinfect them.

Pro Tip:

You must check to make sure the ink is completely gone before washing and drying your scrubs because the heat from the dryer will set the stain into the fabric, making it much more difficult to remove.

Once your scrubs have been pre-treated and are clear of any ink stains, you are ready to launder and disinfect them as usual, taking care to follow any special instructions on their care label.
Separate your scrubs from the rest of your laundry – keep them in a separate hamper and wash them in a separate load from household bedding, towels, street clothes, and family laundry.
Add ¼ cup of vinegar, along with your regular liquid laundry detergent, to the washing machine when washing your scrubs, helping to minimize staining and disinfecting them.
Run your scrubs through two wash cycles – turn them inside out and run them through in cold water on a delicate cycle.

Avoid using hot water as it will only set the ink stain further, making it more difficult to remove.

After washing, check your item once more to make sure the ink stain is completely gone before placing it in your dryer because the heat from the dryer will just set the stain further, making it more difficult to remove.

Commonly Asked Questions

Is it impossible to get ink stains out of scrubs if they’ve already gone through the washer and dryer?

-Fortunately, it is still possible to get ink stains out of scrubs once the stains have been further set-in by going through the heat from the dryer, although it’s more difficult, and it might take longer.

Follow these steps:

Prepare your ink-stained scrubs for a stain remover:
Place a towel, paper towel, or an alternative (see items list), underneath the stained area, between it and the unstained layer of scrubs, protecting the unstained layer from getting any ink transferred.
Before using a particular stain remover, test it on a spot in a hidden area or seam of your scrubs to check for any possible color transference, discoloration, or fabric damage.
Start with a store-bought stain remover like Spray ‘n Wash Stain Stick or Shout Advanced Action Gel Spray, both found on Amazon, as they will be more effective on set-in stains than some of the other methods (see the Step By Step Instructions For How To Get Ink Stains Out Of Scrubs section, #5 Stain Remover: Commercial Product Meant For Ink Stains ~ Optional-Choice Of Method).
Other good methods to use for set-in stains are rubbing alcohol, glycerin, and hairspray with alcohol, although you may need to repeat the process several times to completely remove the stain (see the Step By Step Instructions For How To Get Ink Stains Out Of Scrubs section, #3 Stain Remover: Rubbing alcohol ~ Optional-Choice Of Method, #7 Stain Remover: Additional Techniques ~ Optional-Choice Of Method ∙ Glycerin, and #4 Stain Remover: Hairspray With Alcohol ~ Optional-Choice Of Method).
Using a cotton swab or a cotton ball, apply a small amount of stain remover (commercial product, rubbing alcohol, glycerin, or hairspray with alcohol) to the ink stain until it’s saturated.
Let it sit on the stain anywhere from a few to 30 minutes or follow the package directions for the commercial stain removal product to determine how long to leave the product sitting on the stain.
Lightly work the stain remover into the stain with a clean toothbrush.
Blot at the ink stain with clean cotton balls dampened with cold water.
Using a clean cloth or paper towel moistened with cold water, wipe the ink and stain remover away.
Follow laundering instructions in the Step By Step Instructions For How To Get Ink Stains Out Of Scrubs section, #8 Launder Your Scrubs.

What are some commercial stain removal products meant for ink stains?

-Luckily, there are quite a few commercial stain removal products meant for ink stains – they work on old, set-in, and dried up ink stains, as well as those fresh, wet ink stains.

We found them on Amazon, getting great reviews for removing ink stains:

Amodex Ink and Stain Remover – Cleans Marker, Ink, Crayon, Pen, Makeup from Furniture, Skin, Clothing, Fabric, Leather – Liquid Solution – 4 fl oz Bottle

Works on all types of ink, including ballpoint, felt tip, fountain pen, permanent marker, etc.
Offers a family, eco-friendly line of the most effective ink and stain removal products on the market.
Will save you money and your treasured items.
Recommended by the world’s leading ink manufacturers to remove their ink marks.
Follow instructions as laid out on the product label.

Tide to Go Instant Stain Remover pen

Instant stain remover eliminates all types of stains on the spot.
Very affordable, reasonably priced.
Has Tide’s legendary stain-fighting power in a small portable package.
Easy to carry around and have on hand at work, at home, anywhere.

Conclusion

Have you enjoyed learning how to get ink stains out of scrubs?

It doesn’t take a lot of effort, product, or money – it just takes knowing what to do and what to use!

All of that is better than having to trash your scrubs and buy new ones to replace them.

Make your scrubs ink-free and disinfected – now, you’re ready to go back to work the complete professional!